Even if you’re the type of homeowner who relishes home upkeep tasks and seeing your home’s curb appeal improve right before your eyes, there’s a pretty good chance you’re not super enthusiastic about cleaning your gutters. For one thing, even if you do it regularly enough that it isn’t difficult, climbing on ladders can be physically dangerous. If you’re looking to make your gutter cleaning experience easier, you may be interested in gutter guards.
What Are Gutter Guards?
Gutter guards are an additional structure added inside your gutters or on top of them to prevent dirt, twigs, leaves, and other debris from building up in your gutters while still allowing water to flow freely. While you’ll still have to occasionally have your gutters cleaned, with gutter guards, the maintenance load is dramatically reduced.
Gutter Guard Types
One important thing to know when getting started with gutter guards is there are a few different types. For example, mesh gutter guards are fine screens fitted over the top of your gutters, while foam inserts are guards against debris that actually go inside your gutters. Each type comes with specific advantages, so finding the right gutter guards for your home takes a little comparison.
- Mesh guards are extremely durable gutter guards that keep out large debris like twigs and leaves. Mesh gutter guards will last for many years but tend to be more expensive to install.
- Foam guards are much cheaper than mesh guards but can cause problems from retaining too much moisture in humid climates. They also won’t last more than a few years, so while you save money in the short term, they aren’t a permanent gutter solution.
- Brush guards, like foam guards, sit inside your gutters to prevent the buildup of pine needles and other debris. While effective, they also work best in drier climates where the bristles can dry out and require a bit more maintenance.